The following version of the book was used to create this study guide: Thomas, Angela, Concrete Rose. HarperCollins, New York, NY, 2021. Kindle AZW file.

In Concrete Rose, a young adult novel by Angela Thomas, seventeen-year-old Maverick Malcolm Carter is a member of a gang called King Lords and completely in love with his girlfriend, Lisa. The novel opens as Maverick puts on a dismal performance on the basketball court with some of his friends, including his cousin Dre who is more like an older brother. Maverick's mother, Faye, picks him up to go to the local clinic where Iesha is getting the results of a DNA test. Though he admits to a one-night stand with Iesha when he and Lisa had briefly broken up, Maverick is certain the baby cannot be his, The test results prove otherwise. Maverick is the baby's father.

One day while Maverick and Faye are changing the baby's diaper, Iesha and her mother walk away. Over the next two weeks, Maverick learns he is ill-equipped to handle the demands of an infant. He also begins to lose himself. Instead of spending his time slinging drugs and running around with his friends, he is at home, changing diapers and coping with laundry. Faye is supportive but stern, forcing Maverick to take responsibility. Maverick realizes he loves this child and wants to be there for him, but there is no doubt babies are expensive. Lisa, furious that Maverick slept with Iesha, breaks up with him.

Dre wants a different life for Maverick and pushes him to get a real job at a local store. When Maverick gives in, the store's owner, Mr. Wyatt, immediately pushes Maverick to be more responsible in all aspects of his life. Maverick is barely holding things together when Dre drops by to visit one evening and is murdered in Maverick's drive. Maverick knows the police will barely investigate this murder leaving it up to the Kings to get justice. Maverick goes to Lisa's house on the day of Dre's funeral, seeking comfort from the person he needs most. They have unprotected sex. and Lisa arrives at Maverick's house a few weeks later, worried that she is pregnant. The pregnancy tests are positive. Maverick pledges to support Lisa, regardless of what she decides. Considering her plans for college, he expects that she will choose an abortion. Instead, she decides to keep the baby. Initially, Maverick is shocked; but, he continues to pledge his support.

Meanwhile, Maverick discovers who killed Dre (a scam artist named Red). He begins selling more drugs, seeing that as his only way of meeting his financial responsibilities. His father urges him to be his own man when Maverick plans to kill Red. However, Maverick continues to feel he should be present for his children, his mother, and Lisa. He finds he cannot kill Red after all. He rushes into Lisa's arms, feeling like a failure. She makes him see that he chose to be a man by choosing not to face death or prison for killing Red. Maverick's father echoes that sentiment, making Maverick realize that being a man is about more than following the laws of the streets or rising through the ranks of a gang. As the novel comes to an end, Maverick is working full-time for Mr. Wyatt, working toward his GED and a certificate in landscaping, and looking toward the future.